From: Gregory Brown <gregory.t.brown@...>
Date: 2007-07-14T06:05:48+09:00
Subject: Re: Religion (was: god 0.1.0 released)

On 7/13/07, MenTaLguY <mental@rydia.net> wrote:
> On Sat, 14 Jul 2007 04:05:27 +0900, "Gregory Brown" <gregory.t.brown@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> > i'm in ur computer. lernin' ur C++.
> >> >
> >> > I can has video game?
> >>
> >> Could you speak in proper English? I can't understand you if you talk
> >> like a drunk teenage girl who spends too much time IMing.
> >
> > can has irony?  kthxbye.
>
> In an attempt to wring some on-topic from what's become a very strange
> thread, I think this illustrates a principle which is important when
> choosing a project name:
>
> If you elect to allude to something obscure in your name, does the
> name still work if people don't get the reference?  Are there other
> references it could be mistaken for?  Are people likely to be confused
> or offended if they don't get the reference?

My question is, does it really matter?

If we can't have fun with the names of our free software projects in a
way that appeals to our own sense of humor, I think we're really
missing a big part of the hacker culture.  I for one am really
surprised that people aren't applauding the hack value of coming up
with a name that has a valid analogy, is on the surface controversial,
and has the ability to evoke some sort of humor in those that get the
joke.

So what's to lose?  Potential users?  Reputation?  Maybe.  But if you
don't care about that, there's nothing wrong with picking a name that
entertains you.  If people get offended, so be it.  No one says they
need to use or endorse your project.